Abe and Fran Correia
Pacific American Foundation
Honolulu, HI

Aloha! Recently, 120 sophomore students from Castle High School in Honolulu, HI, utilized the Kuder Career Planning System (KCPS), to complete the three assessments on interests, skills, and work values.

As part of Pacific American Foundation’s (PAF) partnership with Kuder, we have been working very closely with Aloha Academy students and faculty at Castle High School. The purpose is to develop a new culture-based curriculum integrating traditional knowledge with modern day science and technology. Our goals for our program, “Bridging the Gap,” share the same goals of National Career Assessment Services, Inc., to guide students and parents through successful post-high school transitions; increase retention and graduation rates; and provide career planning, guidance, and development to last a lifetime.

Preparing the students by getting them into the right mindset to take the KCPS assessments was not one of simplicity, but rather challenging and demanding. Many of the students lack the motivation, knowledge, and opportunity to serve their community in meaningful ways. A great deal of planning was needed in order to fully address all the needs of our students and still achieve the desired outcomes.

The first week, a curriculum was put in place, which resulted in the creation of a new level of excitement that started with creating a relationship with the students. Our goal, as leaders, was to give the students something to envision and stride toward. Our plan called for a visual concept of team building. The demographics of our area are 70 percent Native Hawaiians and a mixture of a unique blend of cultural diversity. Polynesians are spiritually connected with the land and ocean, and our first step was to re-establish a sense of classroom management and protocols by perpetuating a tradition in Hawaiian culture – the story of the Ho’kulea.

Day One - KCPS Preparation
The story of the Ho’kulea tells of double-haul canoes that sailed across the Pacific Ocean with only the guidance of the constellations.

In exchange of the Ho’kulea, our classroom became the double-haul canoe and their mission was to launch their canoes to new horizons. The purpose was to re-connect the students to their ancestors in hopes of getting them into the right perspective and mindset of goals, ambitions, and success. Leadership was then placed in the hands of the students by asking for volunteers to jump into the fire, take charge, and command the “voyage.” Several hands went up, and by the end of the day, every class period had selected a skipper.

Day Two - KCPS Preparation (Continued)
We began with live testimonies. We shared a little bit about our life experiences and how we cope with it. Many of them were able to relate to our life challenges, which made them anxious to get started. We divided the classes into groups; with six classes it equaled out to six sailing canoes. We discussed the importance of kuleana (responsibility) on the Ho’kulea, and how the lives of each team are interdependent of each other. We lined them up in rows, and each crew member volunteered for the following crew positions; rudder, master navigator, mask and sail, kitchen and meal, and communications.

We made sure that every drill was well rehearsed, especially when the going gets tough. We agreed that the energy level was just where we wanted it to be. The classes were ready to begin testing with a clear vision of what they should get out of it.

Day Three - Kuder Testing
Our day began with butterflies. For the most part, many of the students lacked the computer skills required to take the assessments. Those who were computer literate required little assistance. We knew we had to stay focused and confidant to get them to the next level. We could see the frustrations in their faces. All the drills and training started to kick in and we were able to get them registered with user names and e-mail addresses.

Day Four - Kuder Testing
The students were given their laptops with proper instructions and they responded very well to the KCPS interest and skills assessments. By mid-day, most of them had completed the first two assessments and a few of them were wrapping up the work values assessment. By the end of the day, more than half of them had completed all three assessments.

We needed to come up with a driving force and finish the assessments. We utilized every means of our resources and called on additional staff to assist students in completing the KCPS. The staff was impressed with our progress and the level of achievement the students had reached.

Day Five - Kuder Testing
This is the day we had all been waiting for. With 90 percent completion, it was time to make the announcement. Students waited anxiously for their results. An aggregate report placed Finance as the number one career cluster. We interviewed every class based on the aggregate reports with their top five clusters. Many of them were very pleased with their results and felt the project was truly something of their own. We believe in the KCPS because it works, and more importantly, because it makes a vital connection with their parents.

Day Six - Final Debriefing
There is a new level of excitement taking place, and consequently it has created a special bond between parent, child, and teacher. Parents were elated to hear about the KCPS implementation. Our plan now is to continue our journey in hopes of reaching further into our geographical communities.

Next month we are having our first “Bridging the Gap” parent, child, and teacher workshop. We believe parents are a critical part of our school community. When we reach out to the parents, we have accomplished 50 percent of the legwork.

This has been an incredible experience. We’re excited to announce that plans have been made with the Ho’kulea for a field trip scheduled in the near future, further enforcing the lessons students of the Aloha Academy and Castle High School have learned in regards to career planning and preparation for the future. Mahalo.

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